Palmer and Kokolo available for Quakers at Curzon

The midfielder has impressed during his time with Quakers, which began just before Christmas, and last week fellow Tyke Will Smith also extended his loan deal for the remaining 15 fixtures.

Palmer has missed the last two league games, not used since featuring as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Kidderminster Harriers on January 5, instead since playing twice for Barnsley’s under-23s.

He had a contractual situation at Oakwell to resolve, but now returns to Quakers in time play at Curzon Ashton on Saturday.

Williams Kokolo, on loan from Sunderland, will also be available at the weekend – he was not eligible to play in the Durham Challenge Cup versus Hartlepool United on Tuesday.

Ben O’Hanlon, Terry Galbraith and Joe Wheatley were all substituted as a precaution against Pools.

“We’ll be a little bit stronger on Saturday. Kokolo will be back with us and Romal too,” said Wright.

“I don’t think the injuries are too serious, they’ll be fine. Ben was feeling something, but do you risk it on a Tuesday when you’ve a game on Saturday?”

Palmer will challenge Wheatley and Tom Elliott for a place in the starting XI, and Wright said: “He will be with us for the rest of the season along with Will and they cannot be recalled.

“The issue is that Joe has an underlying hernia problem – can we get another 15 games out of him?

“Romal comes back and he is a different type of player to what we have at the minute and the three of them will be in competition.”

Wright is mulling over his striker options. He has spoken to a couple of free agents, and has identified potential loan signings, but is mindful that when Liam Hughes returns to action Simon Ainge will again be available to play up front rather than defence where he has been needed of late.

Hughes is scheduled to return on February 9 when Darlington go to Blyth, meaning Hughes misses only one more match – Saturday at Curzon – as Quakers do not have a fixture on February 2.